US EPA

6665032 

Journal Article 

Susceptibility of plants to hydrofluoric acid and sulfur dioxide gases 

Zimmerman, PW; Hitchcock, AE 

1956 

18 

(6) 

263-279 

BCI:BCI19573100009162 

The effects of hydrofluoric acid (HF) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gases were determined and compared on 49 spp. of plants. At given concentrations and periods of exposure some species of plants were susceptible to HF but resistant to SO2, and some susceptible to SO2 were resistant to HF. A few species were equally susceptible to both gases, and some were equally resistant. In tests with HF alone, concns. of the gas ranged from less than 1 to 100 parts per billion (109), by volume, and periods of exposure were usually 6 to 8 days. The concn. for SO2 gas ranged from 0.2 to 1.1 ppm and the time periods for exposure were 2 to 8 hours. Special equipment and methods were developed for fumigating plants in the field and in greenhouses. Stomatal counts for upper and lower epidermis of leaves showed no relation between the number of stomata per unit leaf area and relative susceptibility to either gas. All species of plants grown in pots or under field conditions accumulated fluorine. A few like dogwood (Cornus florida), Deutzia sp., gifblaar (Dichapetalum cymosum), and Camellia sp. accumulated abnormally large amounts of fluorine in the leaves while growing under natural conditions. There was considerable difference in rate of absorption by different species when the plants were fumigated, and different parts of the plant absorbed different amounts of fluoride. The results should serve as an aid in diagnosing symptoms on vegetation around industrial areas. || ABSTRACT AUTHORS: Auth. summ